A LEADING children's charity has issued a stark warning as children prepare to celebrate Halloween.

Over the past three weeks, the NSPCC has received an alarming number of calls from children who have been terrorised by "creepy clowns".

The charity reports that the service has received 462 calls from children traumatised by the trend which is seeing people dressing up as clowns to scare passers-by.

Just last week, a young child from Workington who was left "extremely distressed" after being approached by a clown brandishing what they believed to be an axe.

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Jon Cameron, head of helplines at the NSPCC, says there is no excuse.

He said: "People getting dressed up as 'creepy clowns' and frightening children should take a long hard look at themselves.

"Increasing reports that these 'clowns' are not simply seeking to frighten children but using them to intimidate, commit crimes, abuse or bully are deeply worrying and this trend needs to be stamped out.

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"Young people should stay well away from them. And if they do happen to see a 'creepy clown' out on the streets or lurking near their school they should immediately tell their parents or the nearest responsible adult and report it to the police where necessary. If a child is worried they should contact Childline."